Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALKEDHY’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALKEDHY’, particularly characterized by reddish-purple flowers with dark red-purple lips, a concave flower shape in lateral view, dark red whiskers with light yellow tips, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALKEDHY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALKEDHY’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withreddish-purple flowers and dark red-purple lips, suitable for pottedplant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALKEDHY’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in January 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘PHALDRIBIP’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,960) with the proprietary male, or pollenparent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘PHALDANBO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,930).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in January 2015. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Jan. 30, 2020 (Application no. 2020/0288), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHALKEDHY’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHALKEDHY’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALKEDHY’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Reddish-purple flowers with dark red-purple lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and    -   3) Dark red whiskers with light yellow tips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, bud,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in November 2020. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, bud, and foliageof ‘PHALKEDHY’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALKEDHY’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALKEDHY’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALKEDHY’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in November 2020 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALKEDHY’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALDRIBIP’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 26,960).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALDANBO’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 25,930).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B            and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having            yellow-green (RHS 146B) with a hint of purple-red (something            in between RHS N77A and N77B) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual            propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24            weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are            finished after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 48.0 cm to 58.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 37.0 cm to 39.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 19.0 cm            to 22.0 cm. Width: 7.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Unequal obtuse. Leaf            blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal            position): Between 10 degrees and 30 degrees. Leaf margin:            Entire. Color: Upper surface: Something in between RHS 147A            and 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B and diluting purple (RHS            N77A) toward margins. Texture (both upper and lower            surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.1 mm to 2.4 mm. Variegation:            Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein:            Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS N77A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—7 to 9.        -   Length.—48.0 cm to 58.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Brown (RHS 200B) with a touch of yellow-green (RHS            146C).        -   Internode length.—4.0 cm to 5.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to            250.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 68.0 mm to 73.0 mm. Diameter: 85.0 mm to            90.0 mm. Depth of lip: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.        -   Flower shape in lateral view.—Concave.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm.            Width: 20 0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:            Yellow-green (RHS 146D) at the base with a hint of dark            purplish-red (RHS N79C).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length            (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Width: 53.0 mm to            55.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward            the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78A). Over color: Stripes            (something in between RHS N78A and N79C) and small light            purple edge (RHS 76A). Lower surface: Basic color:            Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color: Light reddish-purple            (RHS N78D) toward margin. Number of spots and stripes on the            petals (upper surface): Many stripes. Color of spots and            stripes on the petals (upper surface): Something in between            RHS N78A and N79C. Density of netting of the petals (upper            surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not            applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Rounded symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 41.0 mm to            43.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS            N78A). Over color: Absent. Lower surface:. Basic color:            Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color: Light yellow-green            (RHS 145C). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): Medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes            on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS N79C. Density of            netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Medium.. Color            of the netting: RHS N79C.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 39.0 mm to            41.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: At the base. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS            N78C). Over color: Hint of light yellow-green (RHS 145C) at            the base. Lower surface: Basic color: Red-purple (something            in between RHS N78B and N78C). Over color: Light            yellow-green (RHS 145C) and reddish-purple midvein (RHS            N78A) toward the tip. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on            the lateral sepals (upper surface): Few small dots at the            base; medium stripes. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on            the lateral sepals (upper surface): Dots (RHS 59A); stripes            (RHS N79C). Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper            surface): Medium. Color of the netting (upper surface): RHS            N79C.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 17.0            mm to 19 0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark red (RHS 59A) with            light yellow tips (RHS 10B). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Entire. Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 13.0 mm            to 15.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Yellow (RHS 13B) striped            (RHS 183A) at the base; dark red (RHS 59A) and            reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward margin. Lower surface: Hint            of yellow-green (RHS 195B) at the base; dark red (RHS 59A)            on sides toward base and reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward            the tip. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            Few stripes at the base. Color of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: RHS 183A. Density of netting of the lateral            lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0            mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Hint of yellow (RHS 15B) at the base; dark red (RHS            59A) and dark purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward whiskers. Lower            surface: Dark red wings (RHS 59A); red-purple (something in            between RHS N78A and N79C) at the middle from base toward            whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:            None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not            applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None.            Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.            Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 15B); dotted (RHS 178A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm to 2.5            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Diameter: 2.7 mm to            3.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Reddish-brown (RHS 176B) at            the base; light yellow-green (RHS 195B) with a hint of light            purple (RHS 76A) toward flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALKEDHY’ differs from the female parent plant ‘PHALDRIBIP’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 26,960), in that ‘PHALKEDHY’ has dark red whiskers withlight yellow tips, whereas ‘PHALDRIBIP’ has red-purple whiskers.Additionally, ‘PHALKEDHY’ has longer whiskers than ‘PHALDRIBIP’.

‘PHALKEDHY’ differs from the male parent plant ‘PHALDANBO’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 25,930) in that ‘PHALKEDHY’ has emarginate petal apexes,triangular apical lobes, and dark red whiskers with light yellow tips,whereas ‘PHALDANBO’ has mucronate petal apexes, obdeltoid apical lobes,and dark red-purple whiskers.

‘PHALKEDHY’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,157) and ‘PHALGLAOR’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 31,482). ‘PHALKEDHY’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALDUKAI’ in that ‘PHALKEDHY’ has medium-sized calluses, whereas‘PHALDUKAI’ has large-sized calluses. Additionally, ‘PHALKEDHY’ hasnarrower dorsal sepals and narrower leaves than ‘PHALDUKAI’.

‘PHALKEDHY’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGLAOR’ in that‘PHALKEDHY’ has emarginate petal apexes and medium-sized calluses,whereas ‘PHALGLAOR’ has rounded to slightly mucronate petal apexes andmedium- to large-sized calluses.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALKEDHY’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.